That doesn't mean he expects the final result to be anything different from what it has been the last four seasons: with him under center leading the team every Sunday.

"Naturally, as you progress in your career, you try and tighten up and hone in," Sanchez said Thursday after voluntary workouts. "But, like I've said, this is something I dreamed about my whole life and now I'm not planning on letting go."

Sanchez is approaching this offseason as though he is the starting quarterback, despite his hold on the job being extremely tenuous. There is one less competitor in the mix, however, with David Garrard planning to retire because his balky left knee has continued to give him trouble.

So with Garrard stepping away and New York cutting Tim Tebow two weeks ago, Sanchez, Geno Smith, Greg McElroy and Matt Simms are left on the roster.

"Nothing's changed," Sanchez said of his approach without Garrard on the team. "My mindset is the same: just stay focused, master this offense, improve on my fundamentals, be as accurate as possible, take care of the football and lead this team."

It had been speculated by some that the competition to start would be between Garrard, Sanchez and Smith, despite GM John Idzik, coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg insisting it would be "open" to everyone.

Now, Sanchez appears to have a clear advantage, although the organization is excited about the potential of Smith, the former record-breaking West Virginia quarterback who slid in the draft from a potential top-10 pick all the way to the second round.

"He looks good," Sanchez said of Smith. "He's sharp. He works hard, doesn't say too much. Just plays his butt off and competes. That's great."

Sanchez said Garrard's retirement was "a little bit abrupt," but praised the 35-year-old veteran for "a career to celebrate."

Now, Sanchez is the veteran of the bunch in the quarterback room. That could still change, of course, if the team pursues another experienced player to push Sanchez and mentor Smith, but there aren't many options. The list includes the likes of Vince Young, JaMarcus Russell, Matt Leinart, Trent Edwards, Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch — oh, and, Tebow.

Sanchez, however, insists that McElroy and Simms should very much be in the quarterback conversation.

"Don't count those other two out," he said. "Trust me, it's a fierce deal. We're all excited."